Rio+20: Tree of vision for the future and a Swami who conserves water

As you enter the main pavilion of the Rio centro, the venue of the Rio+20 UN Conference on Sustainable Development (June 20-22) you stop in your tracks – for on the wall is a colourful tree made entirely of post-it notes carrying messages from young and old participants who are on their way to one of the many events and side events taking place in perhaps the world’s largest gathering to thrash out details of ‘The Future We Want’. That is what they’re calling the declaration of intent being approved by 192 countries represented by one hundred heads of state and thousands of civil society groups, negotiators, individuals and collectives representing different regions, cultures, faiths and political parties all totalling to a whopping 50,000 visitors or more.

Tree of vision

The post-it Tree title ‘Rio+20 Tree of Vision’ is organised by the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS) and representative stop you and ask you to add your own message — of what you want to see in the future — to the growing branches of the Tree that is getting more colourful and heavy with heartfelt messages. I add my own and read what others have to say. The theme is almost the same: end poverty, love the planet, love all life, and stop exploiting nature, call for education for all, equal opportunity, gender equity….

“All you need is change…” says one note, with a large red heart drawn on it. “No poverty, no racism, more education, more love for our planet,” says another. Here’s another one: “Keep the oil in the soil and the coal in the hole,” written on a beautiful painting of a tree and the soil around it. “Recognise that we need Earth more than she needs us,” offers a profound message. “Act now, stop talking,” says another. They are too many to mention here but I cannot resist this one that says: “The future begins with the decisions we make in the present.”

Terra viva eating joint

As I cross Pavilion 2 which is the food court, I spot an eating joint that has a roof of bamboo and green canvas, and it’s called ‘Terra Viva’. It’s a vegetarian restaurant offering international cuisine and is run by members of the Ananda Marga of Kolkata. I meet with two members who are running the stall here, Suvedananda (Patrick Filoma) from the Philippines who lives in Rio and Nirvedanada (Emile Menko) from Cameroon who lives in northern Brazil. “Do try our food,” they say, and I venture to look at the menu that lists items from Italy, Europe, Asia and Brazil. I smile and walk on, as the price tag is a deterrent: Reail $ 35 per dish – around USD 18 or nearly Rs 1,000! But the duo is attracting attention as they are attired in blazing saffron robes complete with turban. And I find myself clicking photos of visitors with them at their request, including a delegate from Pakistan, Abdul Rab of Islamabad who represents a civil society group.

Swami Maheshwarananda

The Food Court has many vegan and vegetarian options and these outlets are very popular among delegates. The previous day I’d met up with Swami Maheshwarananda of Rajasthan who is based in Vienna. He was on the panel of a talk on energy and water. His rainwater harvesting project in Jadan, Rajasthan, is operating successfully, having made a big difference in the water-starved district of Pali, his place of birth. “The Desert Rainwater Harvesting Initiative is in keeping with UN Millennium Development Goals,” says Swamiji, inviting me to participate in the yoga session for delegates scheduled the next day. He is the founder of ‘Yoga in daily life’ and he teaches Khatu Pranam, that balances the chakras and tones up muscles. “Contemplate the effects of climate change. Think deeply about the impact of pollution and consider well the importance of conserving water. We have not only free will; we also have been graciously provided with a fine intellect, and so before you act, know its consequence. Water is life, so conserve it,” he says.

DISCLAIMER : Views expressed above are the author's own.

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Narayani Ganesh is a senior editor with The Times of India. She writes on issues concerning the environment, science and technology, travel and tourism, heritage, philosophy, and health. She edits The Speaking Tree Sunday newspaper and daily column of that name, and is a leader writer with the Times of India opinion pages.

Narayani Ganesh is a senior editor with The Times of India. She writes on issues concerning the environment, science and technology, travel and tourism, her. . .

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Author

Narayani Ganesh is a senior editor with The Times of India. She writes on issues concerning the environment, science and technology, travel and tourism, heritage, philosophy, and health. She edits The Speaking Tree Sunday newspaper and daily column of that name, and is a leader writer with the Times of India opinion pages.

Narayani Ganesh is a senior editor with The Times of India. She writes on issues concerning the environment, science and technology, travel and tourism, her. . .